Simon w



(No Model.)

s. W. WARDWELL, Jr

TABLE EXTENSION LEAF.

Patented A r; 20, 1886.

N. PETERS, PholuL'n-hognphnr. Wldlingfm D. C.

Uisiran STATES PATENT @rr ca,

TABLE EXTENSION-LEAF.

swimwear-Ion forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,176, dated April 20, 1886.

Application filed September 5, 1885. Serial No. 176,261. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SIMON W. \VARDWELL, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at \Voonsocket, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Table Extension-Leaves, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of a shelf adapted for application to tables, &c., composed ofa series of segmental sections pivotally supported at or near the edge of the table or other platform, and so constructed and arranged that the sections may be compactly folded one within the other beneath the table top or platform, while at the same time it may readily be drawn out and expanded into position and greatly increase the supporting-surface.

In the drawings, Figure l is an inverted plan view of the folding shelf, showing it applied to the top ofatable and partially drawn into position. Fig. 2 is an end view in the position shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the shelfsections inverted.

B represents the platform supporting the shelf-as, for instance, the top of a table ofordinary construction. To the under side of the top B or platform, near one corner, is se-. cured, by screws or otherwise, a bracket, D, composed of a plate, a, and a downwardlyprojecting arm, b, at one side of which are perforated ears 0, holding a pintle or pivot-pin, d. Supported upon this bracket is the folding shelf E, consisting of a number of sections, F, pivotally secured to the pin d.

Each section F is preferably made of sheet metal of such thickness as to secure the desired stiffness, and the main or body portion w thereof approximates in shapean elongated triangle or sector of a circle, and at one of its sides at right angles is a flange, a, formed by bending the body portion downward, said flange being again bent inward to form another flange or car, y. The inner end of the ear y as well as the corresponding end of the body portion or is perforated att to receive the pin (Z.

The sections F are of different sizes, so that they may be compactly folded one within the other, whereby all may be brought within the compass of one of the sections, while theyall may with great facility be spread to form acircular shelf, adding materially to the size of the table orplatform to which it is applied..

To limit the movements of the sections in respect to each other, each is provided with a lip or bent finger,f, that extends round the edge of the next adjoining section, so as to of heavy material.

To the under side of the top or platform B, and in close proximity to the path of movement of the shelf-sections F, is secured a curved guide-rod, G, so shaped as to project slightly under the sections when folded, and upon the adjacent face of the inner section is a loop, 0,- receiving said rod, so that the inner end of said section is at all times supported by said rod and its outward movement limited, to prevent it swinging wholly from beneath the platform. This guide-rod also affords a support for all the sections when folded.

To strengthenand stiffen the sections at the outer edges I provide each with an edge bead or rib, 8, formed in any suitable manner.

To retain the sections in their proper place after having been spread, I provide the outer section, F, with a ring, 1), or hook, catch, or other retaining device adapted to engage with a hook or staple, m, on the under side of the table, so that after spreading the shelf to its full extent the parts are firmly held in place, and the accidental folding of the shelf prevented.

Instead of making the shelf-sections out of sheet metal, as stated, they may be made of any other suitable material, as papier-mach,

stiffened paper, veneer, 8m. It is also obvione that the three parts forming the sections,

instead of being formed from one piece by bending, may be made separately and fastened together.

While I have shown and described my invention as applied to the corner of a platform or table,I do not wish to be limited to any such application, as it will be obvious that it may with equal facility be applied to the side, and

it may be used with other articles and in different positions, as with stationary shelves, wall-brackets, desks, &c., and numerous other articles of similar character where a device of this kind could be conveniently applied; and it will likewise be observed that the construction of the shelf and the parts composing it may be slightly varied, according to circumstances, without departing from the essential features of the invention.

Without limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown, I claim 1. A folding shelf composed of a series of sector-shaped sections pivotally secured together at their narrow ends, and adapted to fold one within the other, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A folding shelf composed" of a series of sector-shaped sections adapted to .fold one within the other and pivoted at the inner ends to a vertical pivot, and stops for preventing each section from being separated from the adjacent section, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, with a platform, of a shelf composed of a series of sections pivoted at their inner ends to a vertical, pivot, and capable of folding one within the other, substantially as andfor the pnrposeset forth.

4. The combination. with a platform, of a bracket secured thereto, a shelfcomposed of a series of sector shaped sections pivoted at their inner ends to said bracket, said sections adapted to fold one within the other, and stops for limiting the movement of the sections, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination of the platform, a

bracket secured thereto at the corner, and a shelf composed of a series of sector-shaped sections pivotally supported by the bracket, and provided with stops for limiting the spread of the sections, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination of the platform, a bracket secured thereto at the corner, and a shelf composed of a series of sector-shaped sections pivotally supported by the bracket, and-provided with stops for limiting the spread of the sections, and a retaining device for securing the sections when spread, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination of the platform, a bracket secured thereto, a shelf composed of a series of sector-shaped sections, each formed with a side brace and ear projecting laterally therefrom, said sections being pivoted to the bracket and adapted to fold one within the other, stops for limiting the spread of the sections, and a retaining device for securing the sections in place when spread, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination of a table or other like support, a bracket secured thereto, a shelf composed of a series of sector-shaped sections pivoted at their inner ends to the bracket and adapted to fold one within the other, stops for limiting the spread of the sections, and the guide-rod, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereofl have signed my name :to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SIMON W. WARDWELL,JR. Witnesses:

FRED H. BISHOP, G. E. BISHOP. 

